MANILA, July 9  The European Commissions recent approval of an additional humanitarian grant of Euros three million (about P200 million) for Mindanao is a reaffirmation of the European Unions confidence in the Arroyo administrations continuing efforts to achieve lasting peace in that region, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said today.

July 9, 2009 8:40 am· Comments Off on Pimentel says PGMA is in right direction to seek help of OIC

MANILA, July 9  Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said on Thursday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is in the right direction for seeking the help of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

July 9, 2009 8:40 am· Comments Off on PGMA launches National Youth Service program

GUAGUA, Pampanga, July 9 — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched here today the National Youth Service (NYS) program, one of the priority projects of the administration and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to underscore the importance of the youth in community action in the wake of the global economic crisis.

MANILA, July 9 — The Department of Public Works and Highways is proposing the construction of an underground expressway in Roxas Boulevard as it warns of worsening traffic congestion in the area where traffic flow has crawled to 10-kilometer per hour during peak hours.

MANILA, July 9 — The low pressure area (LPA) east of Northern Luzon has developed into a tropical depression named "Gorio," prompting the weather bureau to place nine provinces under storm signal No. 1.

July 9, 2009 8:40 am· Comments Off on It's either Chiz or Loren as NPC standard bearer in 2010 polls — Cojuangco

By Lilybeth G. Ison

MANILA, July 9 — A Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) stalwart on Thursday said the party is considering only two presidential aspirants for the May 2010 elections — Senators Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero or Loren Legarda — as it closes its doors to other presidential aspirants.

July 9, 2009 8:40 am· Comments Off on PGMA inspects new Guagua slaughterhouse

GUAGUA, Pampanga, July 9 — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo checked this afternoon the ongoing construction of the new Guagua Municipal Slaughterhouse at Barangay San Agustin here to ensure that the new abattoir is complying with the standards set by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIS).